10 Pieces

Ensemble Reza is proud to have participated in the BBC Ten Pieces project. Above is a wordle showing the feedback from participants after the first rehearsal.

Ten Pieces Project

Ensemble Reza were awarded a grant from Arts Council England to run a large education and community project last Autumn based on the BBC Ten pieces, an initiative which is being widely promoted throughout the whole UK. The BBC Ten Pieces programme aims to open up the world of classical music to young people. We developed this initiative by inviting adults to get involved as well!

Together with partners West Sussex Music, Ensemble Reza musicians and workshop leader Jason Rowland ran composition workshops in seven local schools including Oathall Community College and Blackthorns, Harlands, St Giles, Bolnore Village, Holy Trinity and Northlands Wood Primary Schools. Over 220 students were involved in creating their own musical responses to the Ten Pieces. These pieces were performed by students at the Ten Pieces Festival Concert which was held at The King's Church, Burgess Hill on Thursday 26th November, 2015.

Ensemble Reza also set up a community orchestra for the project with partners Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Lee Reynolds, over 75 musicians of different ages and abilities (including several family groups) participated. The orchestra performed extracts from the same pieces the schools used for inspiration for their composition project including:

GRIEG: In The Hall of the Mountain King

BIZET: Habanera and Toreador Song from Carmen

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: The Lark Ascending soloist: Lucy Jeal

STRAVINSKY: Finale from The Firebird Suite

If you would like any further information about this project, please contact: hannah.carter@ensemblereza.com

Feedback from partners, musicians, teachers and students.

Many congratulations on producing a wonderfully inspiring event yesterday evening. It was such a celebration of all that is best in partnership working; bringing schools and young musicians, professional musicians and community musicians together is such a valuable experience for all concerned.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and determination to make this project work, we really have enjoyed working with you and hope that we can continue to work in partnership.

James Underwood, Chief Executive West Sussex Music

The greatest strength (of this project) was it's inclusion. The extremely diverse mixture of ages and abilities was a massive challenge, but somehow, largely I feel due to great leadership, it all worked.

Andrew Thurgood, Ensemble Reza Violinist

To be able to give such an exciting and tight performance of really difficult pieces, with such a varying standard of players was a really great achievement. The best aspect is that so many people expressed the desire that this community orchestra becomes a regular event.

Pavlos Carvalho, Ensemble Reza Musical Director

My students benefitted hugely from seeing the next steps for them as musicians. They experienced rehearsing and performing with much more advanced musicians which enabled them to see a progression for themselves as musicians. Working with Lee Reynolds gave my students an instant understanding of how orchestra's work and will greatly enhance standards and their participation and success in the school orchestra.

The composition workshops encouraged students to take risks with their music and think creatively. Jason was able to bring all of their ideas together in a very clever way which kept the integrity of the work as the students own.

Carol Mac Taggart, Head of Music Oathall Community College

Student feedback: What did you enjoy most about the workshop?

The feeling of being in a large group actually composing music.

learning new music and everyone playing as one.

although I felt out of my comfort zone, I really enjoyed it and gained confidence. I also like the fact there is no wrong note!

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Ensemble Reza, registered charity number 1158708

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